Saddle-block structure for power shovels



M. L. FYKSE 7V SADDLE BLOCK STRUCTURE FOR POWER SHOVELS March 11, 1924.

Fil ed Feb. 21 2 Sfieets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. M/TfiHLL L. Y Sii ATTORNEY.

March 11, 1924.

M. L. FYKSE SADDLE BLOCK STRUCTURE FOR POWER SHOVELS Filed Feb. 21 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a a a1; .1:

-. c a an MITCHELL L. FYKSE. MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR-TO BUCYRUS COMPANY, OF SOUTH MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

SADDLE-BLOCK STRUCTURE FOR POTNER SHOVELS.

Application filed February 21, 1923. Serial No. 620,369.

To a?! V f/LODZ it may concern:

Be it known that I, MITCHELL L. FrKsE,

. a citizen of the United States. residing at Milwaukee, in the county of l\lilwaukee and State of Wisconsin. have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Saddle- -Block Structures for Power Shovels, of

[which the following is a. full, clear, concise,

and e-Xactdcscription, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

This invention relates .to power shovels and, more particularly, to saddle block structures constituting, a part thereof.

Saddle block structures are ordinarily employed to maintain proper working relation between the shipper shaft and the dipper handle in that type of shovels in which the dipper handle is mounted for lengthwise shifting as well as swinging movement relative tothe boom. Heretofore these saddle block structures have assumed a substantially U-shaped or loop-like form because of the general belief that the dipper handle must be substantially embraced thereby.

The present invention is predicated upon my discovery that a loop-like form of saddle block structure is wholly unnecessary, particularly, in that type of shovel in'which' the dipper handle is bifurcated and straddles the boom. In fact, inactual practice, under varied conditions of operation, I have found that shovels equipped with-substantially L-shaped saddle block structures have rendered com lete satisfaction. This novel form of sadc e block not only permits of a more compact assembly but also renders it easier to assemble or dismantle the parts.

\ Other objects and advantages of the pres entinvention will appear from the following description of an illustrative embodiment thereof.

In the drawings: v

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of a portion of a power shovel equipped with a saddle block structure. constructed in accordance with the present invention.

'Figure 2 isa similar view, on a larger scale, of the saddle block structure of Figure l.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken sub stantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

The saddle block structure selected for illustration is shown applied to a shovel of the rope thrusting type, such as described in the patentto alter Ferris and R. \V. M, Bager, No. 1,430,298, issued Sept. 26, 1922. This shovel comprises a boom 10 hav ing a shipper shaft 11 journaled in brackets 12 fixed to the boom. The dipper handle 13 is bifurcated so as to form two limbs 13' which straddle the boom, and rest upon rollers 14 carried by the shipper shaft. Each roller is provided with a sleeve 15 fitted over a. squared portion 16 of the shipper shaft so as to rotate therewith, and also with a guide flange 17 cooperating with the dipper handle, Gear teeth 18 on each roller mesh with appropriate racks 19 fixed to and extending, longitudinally of the dipper handle. The shaft 11 also carries a drum 20 fixed thereto. Rotation of this drum, and consequently the shaft and rollers 14, is effected and controlled from the main frame 21 of the shovel through the hoisting cable 22 and thrust controlling cable 23 in the manner described in the patent above mentioned.

In order to. maintain proper working re- 1 lation between the dipper handle and rollers 14, a pair of substantially L-shaped saddle block structures are employed, one for each limb 13 of the dipper handle. Each structurecomprises a hub 2st journaled upon the sleeve 15 of one of the rollers 14 and carrying an upwardly flaring web-like portion 25 disposed adjacent one side of the correspond: ing dipper handle limb 13. The web-like portion 25 together with the reinforcing ribs 26 constitute one leg of the L'shapedstructure which in conjunction with the flange 17 on thecorresponding roller prevents lateral displacement of the dipper handle limb. The other leg of the structure comprises a lateral projection 27 carried by theweb-like portion and arranged to overhang the corre sponding dipper handle limb. A' wear plate 28- interposed between the limb and the projection 27 is secured to the projection by any appropriate -me-ans, such as screws 29, a heavy removable center pin 30 being em ployed to insure against slippage betweenthe wear plate and rojection.

In assembling, tie rollers 14 are placed upon the shipper shaft, the limbs of the dipper handle positioned thereon, and the saddle block structures placed upon the sleeves 15 of the rollers, with the lateral projections 27 overhanging their respective dipper handle limbs. A washer 31 or other appropriate means is then passed over each end of the shipper shaft to retain theparts in assembled relation, each washer shown being retained by an appropriate pin 32* Thus, it will be notedthat the saddle block structures are free to swing about the axis of the shipper shaft with thedipper handle and that the dipper handle is re-' strained from all but lengthwise shifting 1. In a power shovel thecoinbination of a i boom, a bifurcated dipper handle having limbs straddlin said boom, a pair of separate saddle bloc structures, one at each 'side of said boom overhanging alimb of said dippenha'ndle, a shaft carried by said boom supporting said dipper handle and connecting said saddle block structures to retain them in proper working relation with respect to said dipper handle.

2. In a power shovel the combination of a boom, a bifurcateddipper handle straddling said boom, a shaft on said boom supporting said handle, and a pair of separate saddle block structures on said shaft outside of said handle, each structure disposed at one side of a limb of said handle and overhanging said limb.

3. In a power shovel the combination ofa shaft, a flanged roller thereon, a dipper handle resting upon and guided by said invention hereinabove amass;

-shaft, a in ler thereon having a guide flange at one side thereof, a dipper handle resting on said roller; and a saddle block structure on saidshaft at the other side of said roller cooperating with said guide flange to guide said handle.

5.; In a power shovel 'the combination of a boom, a shaft extending transverslythereof, a pair of separate saddle block structures on said shaft at opposite sides of said boom, and a bifurcated dipper handle having limbs respectively disposed between said structures and said boom.

6. In a power shovel the combination of a boom, a shaft extending transversely thereof, rollers on said shaft, a bifurcated dipper handle having limbs resting on said rollers respectively, and a separate saddle block structure at one side of each roller having a portion overhanging 0ne.of said limbs.

7. In a power shovel the combination of a boom, a bifurcated dipper handle straddling said boom, a shaft on said boom supporting said'dipper handle, a saddle block structure at each end of said shaft, each having a portion overhanging a limb of said handle and each movable along said shaft out of operative relation with respect, to said limb, and means for retaining said structures in working position on said shaft.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 17th day of February, 1923.

MITCHELL L. FYKSE. 

